Eastern Illinois University The Keep Plan B Papers Student Theses & Publications 8-8-1958 Basketry and Its Use in a Craft Program Teddy G. Potts Follow this and additional works at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/plan_b Recommended Citation Potts, Teddy G., "Basketry and Its Use in a Craft Program" (1958). Plan B Papers. 116. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/plan_b/116 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses & Publications at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Plan B Papers by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BASKETRY AND ITS USE IN A CRAFT PROGRAM By Taddy G. Potts August 5, 1958 Submitted under Plan B in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree, Master of Science in Education Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Illinois .H. pproved: Date (' I Dr. Robert Sonderman Inat ""ctcr, I. A. 452 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PA.GE 1 I. HISTORY • • • • • Ancient people. • • 1 Indian contribution • 2 Modern uses • • • 5 Hobbies and recreation • 5 Schools • • 6 II. MATERIALS AND TOOLS • • • 7 Commonly used materials • • 7 Reed • . • • • • • 7 Raffia • • 8 Other materials • • 9 Basic tools and working equipment • 9 III. METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF '.VEA VING • 10 General directions • 10 Selection • • 11 Soaking . • • • 11 Shaping • • • • • • • 11 Singeing • • 11 Finishing • • • 12 iieaves • . • • • • 13 Single over and under • 13 Double over and under • 13 Pairing weave • 14 Triple weave • • • 14 Japanese weave • 14 Bottom patterns • • • • • • 14 Hood bases . • 15 Woven bases • • • • 16 Borders . • • • 18 Open border • • 18 Closed border • 19 v. SUMMARY • • • • • • 20 Selected Bibliography • • • 21 Appendix • • • • 22 . BASKETR'Y" AND ITS USE IN A CRAFT PP.OGRAM CHAPTER I HISTORY The weaving of baskets is a very old art, going back to Biblical times. Probably the weaving of baskets is the oldest of the textile arts known to mankind. No doubt it was started out of necessity to gather the crops in ancient times. The baskets of today are the develop- rnent of an art that has been handed down through hundreds of years. It is only in the last few years that the importance of teaching children how to learn by doing has renewed the industry and basket weaving has returned to us as a factor in the promotion of education and industrial ability. Ancient peoill. The most crude people of all ages have made b~skets, using material that they had at hand. Perhaps this utilization by primitive people of materials at hand constitutes part of the craft of basketry. All early people knew where to find a supply of twigs and grasses, for they lived close to nature and their conveniences were made chiefly from vegetable materials.' The pliable substances were woven into mats or baskets; or into sandals that protected the feet of the primitive people. Their girdles, the hats that shielded them from the sun, and their ornaments were plaited of rushes and straws, or the so~ bark peeled from trees. Their huts or shelters, as well as the mats they slept on and cradles they rocke~ their babies in were interwoven roots, twigs and leaves. 1 Martha L. Lee, Basketry and Related Arts, New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1948, p.l. 2 Not only among primitive people was the craft of basket weaving developed but also among the civilized nations of the ancient world this knowledge was used to advantage. The Bible tells us that the Israelites were commanded to offer as a sacrafice the first fruits of the land in a basket. It also tells about the basket of bullrushes, coated with mud that served as a cradle for Moses. Baskets were connected with both Greek and Roman religious life, as they were receptables for the offerings to the gods. Groves of willow trees were cultivated by the Romans to produce the materials for weaving wicker furniture used in the most elaborate and wealthy homes of that day. In fact, we find that nearly everything needed from the cradle to the grave by the ancient people, was made of bs sketry materials. Indian contribution. The American Indian is recognized today for his skill in basket making. In earlier times, the Indians con- sidered basket making a woman's art. It was a part of her homemaking. The American Indian experimented with the suitable materials and dyes found in his locality until they have become skilled craftsmen in all kinds of basket weaving. Of all our native crafts, basketry is one of the oldest and most useful. Born of necessity, it has been practiced in all parts of the world. The types vary according to utility and the natural materials available in different parts of the country. Basketry has come down to us more directly through the American Indian than through any other people. It is the Red Man that we are indebted for beauty and variety of design in this industry, for the Indian is truly 3 the master of basketwork. He fashioned by weaving with pliable materials of his environment--vines, twigs, grasses, split branches, and roots--various receptables for trans­ porting and storing goods. His hats, mats, snaring and fishing nets, ceremonial plaques and even cooking utensils were hand woven.2 If you are observant, baskets can give you a very complete picture of the country in which they originated. The material from ~1hich they are woven uill give you a clue as to the location. Is it a tropical country, one in the temperate zone, or is it in the far north? The dyes also will indicate the native plants or minerals. The type of basket will tell you how it is used, as well as something about the industry of the country in which it was made. Finally, the decorative designs often depict scenes from h~story, religious symbols, festivals and customs of the people. From the earliest times colors have had definite meanings. In ancient art the proper use of each color ·Nas a matter of much consider- ation b>3cause each one had a mystic meaning or symbolism. It is ve!!Y interesting to note how color played an important part of Indian basket making. Vlhite is generally used to denote peace and happiness and innocence. For some nations it was the color of mourning. Red is the color connected with power, both human and priestly. It is the sacred color of Indians and of many other people too. In an opposite sense it symbolizes blood, war, and hatred. To some nations blue naturally signified heaven, truth, spiritual life and religion. It also represents to the Indian the North with trouble and defeat. Yellow is the color of gold, of fire, and of the sun. It symbolizes reason and fruit- fulness. On the other hand, a dirty or dingy shade of yellow symbolizes 2 Ibid. , p. 3 • 3 Marquerite Ickis, Editor, Handicrafts and Hobbies for Pleasure and Profit, New York: Greystone Press, 1948, p. 268. 4 jealousy and deceit. You will notice that most Biblical pictures of the betrayer Ju~ as, the robes and cloak are a dingy color. Green is the color of spring, and symbolizes vegetable life, and labor. The Indians of the plaj_ns use green to represent ice and snow. Black is associated with the West, and is the color of death among the Indians. The natural materials available to the Indian in different parts of the country influenced the type, color and the use of the basket. For example, the Indians of Point Barrow, in northern Alaska, make their basket of whalebone from the mouth of the black whale of the Bering Sea. In the state of Wash­ ington, the Makaws make beautiful baskets of tule leaves and dyed cedar bark. The Pornos, of northern California, weave the small feathers of birds into their baskets, and the Piutes, of Nevada, cover their baskets with attractive beadwork. The Chippewas, of Minnesota, use sweet grass and birchwood. In northern Arizona, the Hopis use rabbit brush colored with soft native dyes. Over in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina the Cherokees use split cane, as do the Chitematches, of Louisiana, and, in Florida, the Seminoles use palmetto leaves and Wire Grass.4 All kinds of Indian ceremonials were bound up with basket making, and different symbols were woven into baskets according to the use for which it was intended. Baskets containing articles required for the next world were put into the graves of the departdd. For this the Indians saved the finest examples of their craft. The weaving of baskets by the American Indians has given to the world an art that is unique, that is individual to his race; an art that is purely American and one in which the beauty and richness of design is such that all A.nericans have just cause to be proud. 4 Bert Robinson, The Basket Weavers of Arizona, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1954, p. 3. 5 The Indian basket designs that we see today are not of recent origin, but like other Indian art has been handed down through countless generations. "There have been no schools, no books, no sketches or drawings, for, with an Indian, his art is spontaneous; it is part of his soul--he is a true artist."5 Modern Uses. The use of basket weaving in our modern time has come into its own in the last few years. Almost everywhere we turn we see something made of reed. If you go out to eat, your rolls may be served in a reed basket or perhaps your chicken is in one too.